Wanaka Car Tours: Top 5 You Can’t Miss!

Wanaka, that treasure situated in New Zealand’s Otago region, boasts a breathtaking array of scenery just begging to be explored. While it’s super tempting to plant yourself right by the lake and soak it all in, one of the best ways you can get up close and individual with the region’s beauty is with a car. With so many tours up for grabs, just figuring out where to start can almost feel a bit tricky. I mean, which scenic route offers that winning combo of mind-blowing sights and fun? Very understandably, narrowing down your choices turns into quite the mission. Fear not! That’s precisely what this is here for.

So, prepare yourself, we are about to share the top 5 Wanaka car tours, each picked to offer something special, from chilling lakeside drives to high-adventure mountain roads. Basically, get set to see the best of Wanaka from the comfort of your vehicle – window down, music up, ready to roll!

1. Lake Hāwea Viewpoint Drive

The drive to Lake Hāwea viewpoint, you see, this one really does kick things off perfectly, presenting a really nice, fairly relaxed introduction to what Wanaka has available. Seriously, I am not kidding! The view – you know – the whole spectacle of that glittering, pretty blue lake against all those jagged mountains, and it can all be done, surprisingly enough, only about a 15-minute drive from Wanaka town. Just picture this: very little fuss, maxed-out beautiful scenes.

Keep going, that road, is very uncomplicated, making it ideal if you just sort of prefer taking things at a snail’s pace or you are still growing comfortable behind the wheel. Bring a picnic maybe. Up at the top, there are places to pull over, and, you know, they’re just right for some lakeside chilling. It’s a place that’s accessible anytime; it’s an option to take when you would like something that is really rewarding but not something strenuous, almost. I have often found that there is such peaceful scenery, you know? See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Lake Hāwea Viewpoint Drive)

Read our full review: Lake Hāwea Viewpoint Drive Full Review and Details

2. Mount Iron Track Loop

Okay, I hear you; a track almost sounds like more of a hike, that’s fair. I just wanna state it is like very short. The loop path itself can be completed rather promptly, offering up some quite amazing scenic 360° vistas, all of the Wanaka, including views across to that Upper Clutha Basin plus Ruby Island, too! So bring that camera along, alright?

What I found really nifty in particular: this option can be completed rather speedily, it gives those views without eating up too much tour duration from within one day; typically what people appreciate if pressed upon timing matters throughout trip planning plans anyhow – no matter the agenda items considered paramount beforehand at the start of excursions/activities such too! Very important indeed.

Consider parking nearby, too. Just drive up near to where the track gets going, have a quick ramble on top and marvel at it from above, the vistas stretch way across the whole Upper Clutha. In the simplest form, this is one that shouldn’t be discounted at all! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mount Iron Track Loop)

Read our full review: Mount Iron Track Loop Full Review and Details

3. The Famous Wanaka Tree Drive

Very seriously, who has visited Wanaka while NOT making at least some kind of stop off, just that real little moment with #ThatWanakaTree? Okay, I acknowledge that there is more than just the one landmark there for viewing by Wanaka shoreline’s waterside. However, it can also be said almost just driving along that shoreline around into town can feel sort of rather epic anyway – with sights spanning across lake Wanaka itself with all those alpine areas surrounding all its water expanses.

What’s just a tad interesting is that some travellers are somewhat totally convinced that #ThatWanakaTree, the experience, isn’t that interesting. Maybe something to acknowledge could stem from a feeling stemming along lines that many consider to take such photos feels almost trite these days within travels among the region, just too mainstream now probably you know!? That might have some truth too I guess but there are things about trips similar at any destination worldwide really huh? This, by far, one will always remember if done at dusk during trip anyway however. Seriously.

I would go out along Warren Street as it then sweeps back toward that main lakeside. Honestly, you will pass that tree with such ease and be reminded about what’s great from across the region too. Even if very briefly it is awesome still, alright! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (The Famous Wanaka Tree Drive)

Read our full review: The Famous Wanaka Tree Drive Full Review and Details

4. Cardrona Distillery & Beyond

Very slightly away – perhaps a journey further beyond – towards Cardrona and that real winding Crown Range Road exists; you should drive on across and discover, seriously! So, by leaving town, then setting travels up toward Cardrona, those golden rolling landscapes greet one while on tour out from Wanaka!

In time comes visiting its distillery there almost amongst such farmlands too perhaps… maybe treat anyone along with sample bottles before continuing homewards during daytime either! Now what feels really special almost by choosing traveling all beyond here resides inside viewing Cadrona’s renowned hotel either located along the region: It stands wonderfully despite whatever conditions are faced within travel itinerary that specific journey’s span for people usually there then. How thrilling indeed!

If keen while driving from Cardrona, what one would want doing anyway when deciding traversing further along any such road includes – basically – tackling (or nearly) that passage along Crown Range’s landscape anyhow; yet you can turn down closer from route just back Wanaka at intervals, obviously when time factors make themselves apparently known at each specific juncture. Be rather mindful when doing such routes given curves often happen so take turns easy all across route obviously!. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Cardrona Distillery and Beyond)

Read our full review: Cardrona Distillery and Beyond Full Review and Details

5. Scenic Route to Rob Roy Glacier

The route to Rob Roy Glacier isn’t for everyone; in a way this road features gravel patches as drivers press down from way at Wanaka. So almost if anything sounds too scary then pass this recommendation okay?! Anyway by choosing following what’s available travelers discover vistas including mountains tops spanning widely across its horizon altogether.

Eventually by opting finishing road you eventually get able towards a park. It just needs walking then almost before encountering ice glaciers from such paths anyway obviously while keeping protected gears with you during travel.

Arguably one might ask: will they think everything experienced getting around truly feels worth trouble taken getting almost near sight’s beginning there maybe especially driving considering said unpaved roads before; possibly only if really adventurous traveler would fully recognise positives than regrets at trip conclusion nonetheless alright folks! Very cool. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Scenic Route to Rob Roy Glacier)

Read our full review: Scenic Route to Rob Roy Glacier Full Review and Details